Isn't the black-red flag associated with far-right groups?
Sure. I'm sure Trinidad and Tobago, and Albania, are definitely Nazis. And those anarchists with their black and red flags, they're definitely Nazis too, right?
Seriously though, in this case, it's the unofficial war flag of Ukraine.
It was originally associated with the WWII nationalist Banderite movement, which has some dubious history but is important in the 20th century story of Ukrainian nationalism. However its usage has evolved and is used widely, albeit unofficially, in modern Ukraine, by lots of military-associated groups who have nothing to do with Nazis or fascism.
One of the main selling points of it is that it trolls people who uncritically believe that Ukraine is run by Nazis.
Sure. I’m sure Trinidad and Tobago, and Albania, are definitely Nazis. And those anarchists with their black and red flags, they’re definitely Nazis too, right?
This is like defending the use of a Swastika because it is also a Hindu symbol. Everyone knows this isnt about Trinidad, Tobago, Albania or Ancoms.
THIS red and black flag, not any colored flag. As you said, it is nazi. Why do you think it's used by military groups?
Its meaning in Ukraine, and also cardinal sin, is freedom from the Russians. This is what makes it Nazi to a number of Russians, not because the people who wave it are actually National Socialists, but because they are against Russia.
It's understated how important The Great Patriotic War is to the Russian people. It gives a great boost to national pride. It's when they defeated the enemies of Russia, The Nazis. So crucial it is, that anyone else who seems to want to destroy Russia is in league with the Nazis. It's how you get paradoxes like Vlodomyr Zelensky being called a Jewish Nazi, not because he subscribes to National Socialism, but because he is against Russia.
If we go by this definition of Nazi, the flag is absolutely Nazi. It is the banner of Ukrainian defiance against the Russian giant. The complicated people who once flew this banner does not help the case.
But today, what that flag means to the Ukrainians is freedom from the empire that abused them for hundreds of years and is desperately trying to claw back Ukraine to exploit them once more against the will of the people there
Kamil Galeev has some interesting things to say about how the Russians use the term “Nazi.”
https://nitter.net/kamilkazani/status/1497306746330697738#m
”Let's discuss Putin speech. He declared Ukrainians to be "Neonazis" and promised to "denazify" them. Indeed the "Nazi" character of Ukrainian statehood and identity has long been a central thesis of Russian propaganda. Let's discuss why and how it reflects ideology of Putinism🧵”
The whole thread is here, and is a very interesting read:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1497306746330697738.html
“The USSR was already conducting huge ethnic cleansings before the war, before any collaboration with the Nazis could even start. The war didn't really change anything - it allowed Soviets to carry on but now with a perfect excuse. We're cleansing minorities because they're Nazi.”
Also, in case you don’t know who Kamil Galeev is: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/07/europe/russia-z-symbol-ukraine-war-cmd-intl/index.html
Please show us non military and non ultra nationalist populations using this flag. Also, people from Crimea using it
There are indeed a large number of far right groups in eastern europe (well all of europe now), including Ukraine and Russia. This is nothing new.
Traktor
